From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Potential damage to Phantom III starter rings and proposed solutions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 93\3\ scan0213 | |
| Date | 3rd December 1936 | |
| 312. LC Smith Should be glad to have your final summary of this job. Pm Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} FmWst. By/RD. re Phantom III Starter Rings. Referring to your memo Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}14/E.11.2.36, we have never yet had a complaint put up to us on damaged starter rings due to the button being pressed when the engine is still running. We know this can happen on any of our cars, and it is frequently being done when the driver has been under the impression that the engine had stopped when in fact it was still idling. No damage however has resulted in these cases. If the driver is deaf, or cannot hear due to noisy traffic and habitually runs his engine fast, damage may result from this practice. We can incorporate a means of cutting out the starter button circuit electrically when the dynamo cutout switch is closed, or we could arrange an oil pressure device for performing the same function which would operate at a still lower speed. It is not, however, easy to make the starter ring easily replaceable. This is a job that must be done thoroughly and re-balanced to ensure satisfactory running afterwards. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} | ||